Invasion

Chapter 3 - Ultimate Companion

28th May 2071

The artificial morning rose, a hazed orange, with the actual sun piercing through the ship exit hole. It's quite early, I should be awake at 7 MST, not 6 MST. I close my eyes and think of nothing; oblivion.

Ten minutes of that and I have still not gone to sleep. My brain begins to eject random questions; What is the length of the universe? What colour is Aurora's hair? How would I know? I turn my body around and face-plant into my pillow, telling myself to go back to sleep.

***

Another ten minutes and I'm still conscious. What's the point, obviously my body is awake. I sit up and rub my eyes. I crawl out of bed, almost fall, but 'land' on two feet. Time to go through my morning routine; have a shower, get dressed, brush my teeth and do my hair; done. I make sure I look that extra bit better today. I clean up, take my packed goods and leave the room. I lock the door behind me; I won't be using it again, I've got a luxurious deluxe room now!

I travel through the corridors of the base, slowly cruising towards the Meeting Area. I turn a corner, and find the table where commander is at. I see him one table to the right of the one in front of me; he's playing on his phone, concentrating on what's probably some last year's game.

"Hello, commander. How's Earth going?"

"I'm afraid no so good, Brian. We received an update from Earth only a few hours ago, and it's nothing to be glad about; alien fighters have entered the atmosphere, disrupting and destroyed practically anything in their paths"

"Damn, I understand why you really need me for this mission"

"Brian! Take this seriously! Millions of people are dying out there!"

"I am, I am; it's just that I don't think that I can do this job"

"Brian, it will be a piece of cake for you. Don't worry about it"

"Okay..."

...

It was silence. No one said a word. Someone had to start a conversation.

"So... When do you think Aurora will get here?"

"It's 7:35 now, still a while away. I'll check my radar on my phone, just for you"

"Okay"

Waiting... Did I make it sound desperate? I didn't want it to.

"In about 20 minutes, she's going to be early. In the meantime you can plan a conversation starter"

"Haha. I've already done that"

"Well then, research information of your new spacecraft. See how it works and stuff"

"I'm getting a new ship?"

"Yes. The TSG A18 Defender; a strong and durable ship"

"Nice"

"Now go on, research, I'm halfway through a game"

Told you he was playing a game.

"If you say so"

Cool, now I have new spacecraft. Let's see what it can do.

***

"Brian"

"Yes, commander?"

"Aurora has just arrived at the Western Hangar. She will meet us here with her items; I will be taking them and yours to your new room"

"Okay"

I quickly fixed up my hair, and my clothes; I'm only wearing a singlet and shorts, it's casual, but its the only Mars Infinity clothes you get besides a spacesuit. I turn to the corridor in front of us, waiting for a body to appear. After two minutes of staring at nothing, an object appears in the left exit of the corridor. It was her. She was quite tall, with long brunette hair and blue eyes like mine. She was looking at the Communication Center, at all the working humans helping pilots.